Determination of coumarin anticoagulant rodenticide residues in animal tissue by high-performance liquid chromatography. I. Fluorescence detection using post-column techniques

Interest of the faecal and plasma matrix for monitoring the exposure of wildlife or domestic animals to anticoagulant rodenticides

Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs), particularly second-generation compounds (SGAR), are known to be a potential threat to unintended species due to their tissue persistence. The liver is the storage tissue of ARs and is a matrix of choice in diagnosing exposure and intoxication of non-target fauna. However, it is only available on dead animals. Blood and faeces can be used on living animals. These two biological matrices were compared in terms of their relevance to exposure to ARs. In addressing this question, we compared the faecal, plasma and liver concentrations of bromadiolone, one of the SGAR frequently implicated in wildlife exposure. We studied this comparison at the individual level and at the population level, considering three influencing factors: dose, sex and time. Our findings demonstrate that faecal analyses are more valuable than plasma analyses for monitoring AR exposure of domestic and wild animals, even if faecal concentrations cannot be correlated with liver concentrations.

Separation and Quantification of Superwarfarin Rodenticide Diastereomers-Bromadiolone, Difenacoum, Flocoumafen, Brodifacoum, and Difethialone-in Human Plasma

BACKGROUND

Superwarfarins, second-generation long-acting anticoagulant rodenticides, are 4-hydroxycoumarin analogues of warfarin that contain a large hydrophobic side chain. These compounds contain two chiral centers and are synthesized for commercial use as two pairs of diastereomer.

OBJECTIVE

To support studies of superwarfarin pharmacokinetics and other efforts to improve clinical care for poisoning victims, a quantitative assay was developed for the measurement of diastereomer of bromadiolone, difenacoum, flocoumafen, brodifacoum, and difethialone in human plasma.

METHOD

Based on ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass-spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), this method was validated according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. Sample preparation involved simple protein precipitation followed by reversed phase UHPLC, which resolved all five pairs of cis/trans diastereomer in less than 10 min. Superwarfarins were measured using negative ion electrospray followed by selected-reaction monitoring on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer.

RESULTS

Calibration curves covered 3-4 orders of magnitude with linear regression coefficients of >0.999. The lower limits of quantitation were from 0.013 to 2.41 ng/mL, and intra-day and inter-day accuracy and precision coefficients of variation were <12%.

CONCLUSIONS

A 10-min UHPLC-MS/MS assay was developed and validated for the separation and quantitative analysis of the pairs of diastereomer of five superwarfarins in human plasma.

HIGHLIGHTS

This method was used to identify and measure superwarfarins and their cis/trans diastereomers in plasma obtained from patients treated for coagulopathy following consumption of contaminated synthetic cannabinoid products.

Analysis of anticoagulant rodenticide residues in Microtus arvalis tissues by liquid chromatography with diode array, fluorescence and mass spectrometry detection

We describe here a fast and selective analytical method to determine the levels of four anticoagulant rodenticides (chlorophacinone, bromadiolone, brodifacoum and difenacoum) in animal tissues by liquid chromatography (LC) using different detection methods: fluorescence (FLD), diode array (DAD) and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Rodenticides were extracted from freeze-dried and homogenized tissue samples (liver, intestine and muscle) that had been obtained from the common vole (Microtus arvalis). These samples were diluted in 5 mL of methanol, the solution was shaken and centrifuged, and the supernatant was removed and evaporated to dryness. The residue was reconstituted in 1 mL of methanol (liver samples) or 1 mL of the mobile phase (muscle and intestine samples), and injected onto an LC-DAD-FLD-MS system coupled to electrospray ionization (ESI) in negative mode. After conducting an LC optimization study, we selected a Gemini 5 μm C18 column, a mobile phase composed of a mixture of 30 mM ammonium formate in water and methanol (26:74, v/v), and we used an isocratic elution mode. The method was fully validated and shown to be selective, precise, accurate, and linear in the range from ~5μg/kg (ESI-MS) or ~50 μg/kg (DAD-FLD) to 10,000 μg/kg, depending on the compound analyzed. Recoveries ranged from 82% to 103%, while the limits of detection and quantification ranged from 9-89 μg/kg (FLD-DAD) and 0.6-4.6 μg/kg (ESI-MS). This method was successfully used to simultaneously measure the aforementioned compounds in M. arvalis tissues.

Validation and application of multi-residue analysis of eight anticoagulant rodenticides by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection

Poisoning of domestic animals is frequently caused by anticoagulant rodenticides. Validation and applications of a rapid and reliable method for the simultaneous determination of 8 anticoagulant rodenticides (bromadiolone, brodifacoum, coumachlor, coumafuryl, coumatetralyl, difenacoum, flocoumafen, and warfarin) in baits and animal livers using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection are reported herein. The methodology was validated by an in-house validation model at 2.5 mg/kg, which is the level commonly found in the tissues of poisoned domestic animals. The 8 anticoagulants can be determined at the concentration range of 1.25-100 mg/kg with determination coefficients higher than 0.992. A recovery value from 70% to 109% was observed for all the studied molecules. The results of the validation process demonstrate suitability for application in official analysis and for monitoring purposes of animal poisoning by anticoagulant rodenticides.

Determination of bromadiolone residues in fox faeces by LC/ESI-MS in relationship with toxicological data and clinical signs after repeated exposure

In many countries, the fox (Vulpes vulpes), predator of small mammals, is particularly affected by anticoagulant rodenticides such as bromadiolone due to secondary poisoning. Nevertheless, to date, no method of exposure monitoring is applicable in the field over large areas, and no toxicological data are available concerning sensitivity of foxes to bromadiolone. The aim of this work was to compare excretion kinetics of bromadiolone in fox faeces with clinical and haemostatic effects after repeated exposure to intoxicated voles. A sensitive method for the quantification of bromadiolone excretion in fox faeces and plasma was developed, using liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS). The LoD was 0.9microg/kg and 0.15microg/L, and the LoQ was 3.0microg/kg and 0.5microg/L, in faeces and in plasma, respectively. Four captive foxes were fed for 2 or 5 days with water voles (Arvicola terrestris Sherman) spiked with bromadiolone at concentrations close to those measured in the field. Faeces and blood were collected for bromadiolone titration, and blood-clotting tests were performed to monitor fox health daily during 10 days and then every 3-4 days until the end of the experiment (D28). Then, after euthanasia, a complete necropsy was performed, and levels of bromadiolone residues in the liver were determined. Bromadiolone residues were detected in faeces 15h after the first exposure. They increased dramatically during the exposure period and then gradually decreased, but they remained detectable at the end of the experiment, i.e., 26 days after the last exposure. Bromadiolone residues in plasma showed a similar pattern but were no longer detectable 7-24 days after the last exposure. Two foxes presented very severe external haemorrhages, requiring the administration of the antidote vitamin-K1. Bromadiolone residues in faeces and their relationships with exposure and other direct-markers that were measured are discussed. Liver residues and the toxicity data of our study will help to interpret data from fox carcasses collected by wildlife disease surveillance networks. These findings provide a basis for programs aiming to monitor the exposure of wild fox populations to bromadiolone using non-invasive methods based on standard sampling and analysis of residues in faeces.

How environment and vole behaviour may impact rodenticide bromadiolone persistence in wheat baits after field controls of Arvicola terrestris?

We aimed to evaluate whether environmental factors affect the persistence of bromadiolone in baits in field treatment. Baits were distributed in three soils according to two types of distribution: (1) artificial galleries conform to agricultural practices; (2) storage cavities to mimic bait storage by voles. Persistence was evaluated for 30 days in galleries and 80 days in storage cavities in autumn and spring. The decrease of bromadiolone concentrations was described by a first-order kinetic model. In galleries, the half-lives ranged from 3.0 to 5.1 days in autumn and from 5.4 to 6.2 days in spring. The half-lives were similar between soils and seasons but the pattern of persistence differed lightly for two soils between seasons. Half-lives in storage cavities, 42.7 and 24.6 days in autumn and spring respectively, were longer than in galleries. To conclude, both soil characteristics and climatic conditions weakly influence persistence, while bait storage lengthens it dramatically.

Study on the fluorescence characteristics of bromadiolone in aqueous and organized media and application in analysis

The fluorescence spectroscopic behavior of bromadiolone (anticoagulant rodenticide), a substituted 4-hydroxycoumarin derivative, was investigated in water and in organized media like micelles and cyclodextrins. A detailed study on various photophysical parameters like fluorescence intensity (I(F)), quantum yield (phi), lifetime (tau) and steady state fluorescence anisotropy (r) of bromadiolone in aqueous and in organized media was carried out. Bromadiolone in aqueous solution was observed to be in an aggregated state, thereby showing weak emission due to self-quenching. Marked enhancement of fluorescence intensity was observed in organized media like micelles and beta-cyclodextrin. A preliminary investigation has been done to find out whether this enhancement of fluorescence can be used to develop a sensitive analytical method for determination of bromadialone in aqueous media. A linear relationship between the fluorescence intensity and concentration of bromadiolone was observed in the range of 0.15-7.9 microg ml(-1) in cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and 0.5-26.4 microg ml(-1) in beta-cyclodextrin medium. The lower detection limit was found to be 37 ng ml(-1) in presence of CTAB and 23 ng ml(-1) in beta-cyclodextrin. Comparison with 4-hydroxycoumarin, an unsubstituted analogue, was made.

A new bioartificial liver using porcine hepatocyte spheroids in high-cell-density suspension perfusion culture: in vitro performance in synthesized culture medium and in 100% human plasma

A prototype of a bioartificial liver (BAL) based on suspension perfusion culture of porcine hepatocyte spheroids was developed at 150 ml scale. About 2% (4 x 10(9) cells) of whole human liver cells was immobilized. The cell density in the bioreactor was 2.7 x 10(7) cells/ml, which was almost comparable to that of presently developed packed-bed-type BALs. The bioreactor was perfused with culture medium while retaining spheroids. This was done using a rotating stainless filter (pore size 50 microm). In vitro 8-h perfusion experiments utilizing both synthesized culture medium and 100% human plasma demonstrated the spheroids in the bioreactor had almost the same functions on a unit/cell basis as those in small-scale rotational culture. This indicated that the functional deterioration often associated with scaling up had been minimized. Rapid spheroid aggregation and dysfunction in specific human plasma pool must be eliminated before clinical application, although this phenomenon seemed to be inherent to porcine hepatocyte-based BALs. This prototype shows promise in meeting present clinical demands by achieving maximal metabolic activities even in the short term.

Pharmacokinetics of antipyrine, warfarin and paracetamol in the brushtail possum

The plasma pharmacokinetics of antipyrine, warfarin and paracetamol have been studied in the Australian brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). The plasma elimination half-lives (t1/2) were 1.2 h for antipyrine, 11.9 h for warfarin and 5.2-12.9 h for paracetamol. Our data indicate that the clearance of these three xenobiotics in the possum is similar to that reported in eutherian mammals. There was no dose-dependent increase in paracetamol plasma t1/2 over the dose range 100-1000 mg kg(-1), indicating a lack of capacity saturation. This observation may in part explain the unusual resistance of the possum to the hepatotoxic effect of high doses of paracetamol.

Determination of warfarin in the yolk and the white of hens' eggs by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A procedure for the determination of warfarin, an anticoagulant rodenticide, in the white and the yolk of hens' eggs, using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is described. Liquid chromatography was performed on an octadecylsilane cartridge using methanol and ammonium acetate triethylamine buffer as the mobile phase, with UV detection at 281 nm. Samples (5 g) were analysed after liquid-phase extraction using a mixture of acetone and diethyl ether. Linearity, precision and accuracy of the method were determined in the range of 0.5-8.0 microg. Limits of quantitation for warfarin in the white and the yolk were 0.020 and 0.015 microg/g, respectively. Mean recoveries of warfarin from spiked white and yolk samples were 84.6 and 87.4%, respectively. The analytical method was applied to a fourteen-day experimental study conducted in laying hens that had been orally dosed with warfarin.

Identification of pesticide poisoning in wildlife

The Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme investigates incidents of suspected poisoning of wildlife (also honey bees and companion animals) by pesticides in the United Kingdom. The approach to these investigations has evolved over the past 30 years. Field investigations, post-mortem examinations, toxicological data and experience of previous poisoning incidents assist in the selection and interpretation of appropriate chemical analyses. Several 'multi-residue' and several 'individual compound' analytical methods for pesticides in wildlife are currently in use; these are described.

Detection of anticoagulant rodenticides (4-hydroxycoumarins) by thin-layer chromatography and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

The detection of 4-hydroxycoumarin rodenticides in poisoned domestic animals requires a highly sensitive method as tissue and serum levels of anticoagulants may be very low owing to rapid elimination, metabolism or post-mortem degradation. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) with fluorescence detection were used to identify the anticoagulants in spiked tissues and in suspicious samples. The analysis of ten suspicious samples highlighted the limitations of both methods. Only the three samples of baits were found positive by TLC whereas one of the five anticoagulants was detected in eight samples by RP-HPLC with fluorescence detection. Therefore, RP-HPLC with fluorescence detection proved to be the more sensitive method for detecting low levels of 4-hydroxycoumarins in blood serum, liver and ingesta, whereas TLC is usually sufficient for analysing baits.

Simple and rapid method for the determination of the diastereomers of difenacoum in blood and liver using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A rapid and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the analysis of cis and trans diastereomers of the anticoagulant rodenticide difenacoum has been described. The methodology demonstrates potential for the analysis of diastereomers of related 4-hydroxycoumarin anticoagulants. Separations were achieved by reversed-phase chromatography on a Zorbax ODS column with gradient elution using acetonitrile-water, modified with 0.1% acetic acid, as the mobile phase. Detection of the analytes was effected by fluorescence at excitation and emission wavelengths of 310 and 390 nm, respectively. Sample preparation from both plasma and liver has been simplified to reduce preparation time and manipulation. The minimum detectable concentration of each diastereomer was 5 ng/ml. Recoveries of 100% were obtained from plasma and 93% from liver tissue. This method has been used for the investigation of the pharmacokinetics of difenacoum diastereomers in rats, and for investigation of unexplained hypoprothrombinaemic events encountered clinically.

Analysis of warfarin and its metabolites by reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of warfarin and its metabolites (diastereomeric warfarin alcohols and 6-, 7-, 8-, 4'- and 3'-hydroxywarfarin) in microbial cultures. Ion-pair chromatography with tetrabutylammonium ion as the counter ion allowed for the complete resolution of all compounds at pH 7.5 on a reversed-phase (C18) column, thus permitting direct fluorescence detection without the use of post-column pH switching techniques. Analysis of cell suspension cultures of the fungus Cunninghamella elegans (ATCC 36112) indicated that this organism metabolizes warfarin to all known mammalian metabolites, plus the previously unreported 3'-hydroxywarfarin. Detection limits for all compounds were in the low nanogram range.

Determination of diastereoisomers of bromadiolone, an anticoagulant rodenticide, in animal tissues by high-performance liquid chromatography

Two components isolated by semi-preparative normal phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) of bromadiolone reference material were tentatively identified as diastereoisomeric forms. Examination by mass spectroscopy confirmed this identification and supporting evidence was provided by identical UV fluorescence characteristics. The separated isomers were used to examine the chromatographic properties of bromadiolone in ion-pair, ion-suppression and weak ion-exchange HPLC modes. Conditions suitable for the analytical determination of the individual diastereoisomers were established for each mode. The influence of mobile phase pH on the resolution of coumarin-based rodenticides by weak ion-exchange HPLC on an aminopropyl-bonded phase was studied. Clean-up techniques for the determination of residues of bromadiolone in animal tissue extracts were compared. A combined gel permeation and adsorption chromatographic procedure was preferred for sensitive assay; it permitted the use of either fluorescence or UV detection. The lower practical limit of determination of each isomer in animal tissues was 0.005 mg kg-1 using UV detection and 0.0005 mg kg-1 using fluorescence detection.

High-performance liquid chromatographic strategies for the determination and confirmation of anticoagulant rodenticide residues in animal tissues

A comprehensive approach to the analysis of anticoagulant rodenticide residues in animal tissues based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been developed. Residues of warfarin, coumatetralyl, difenacoum, brodifacoum, bromadiolone, diphacinone and chlorophacinone were extracted with chloroformacetone (1:1, v/v). Extracts were cleaned-up by an integrated gel permeation and adsorption chromatographic procedure which divided the rodenticides into two groups. Residues were then determined and confirmed using normal-phase, ion-pair and weak ion-exchange HPLC techniques. Ion-pair gradient separation resolved all seven rodenticides in a single chromatographic analysis. UV detection methods were employed for all seven rodenticides. Use of a diode array detection system permitted additional confirmation of residues down to 0.1 mg kg-1 by matching UV spectra and derivatives of spectra. Sensitive fluorescence detection was possible for the coumarin-based rodenticides but not for diphacinone and chlorophacinone. Post-column pH-switching fluorescence detection methods were shown to be superior to other methods of fluorescence detection of coumarin-based rodenticides. Recoveries from spiked liver tissue were around 90% at levels from 0.05 to 1 mg kg-1. Detection limits of around 0.002 mg kg-1 for most rodenticides and of 0.01 mg kg-1 for warfarin could be achieved with animal tissue extracts.

Reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatographic determination of chlorophacinone residues in animal tissues

A sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the identification and quantitation of chlorophacinone in animal tissues has been developed. Residues were extracted with chloroform-acetone (1:1, v/v). Clean-up of extracts was accomplished with a combined gel permeation-adsorption chromatographic procedure using Bio-Beads SX-3 and incorporating an on-line Sep-Pak silica cartridge. Residues were determined by ion-pair liquid chromatography, with the tetrabutylammonium ion as counter-ion, using a fixed-wavelength UV detector at 280 nm or a diode array detector at 285 nm. Recoveries from spiked liver tissue were around 90% at levels from 0.05 to 1 mg kg-1. A detection limit of 0.001 mg kg-1 could be achieved in animal tissues. The diode array detector confirmed identification by matching spectra for residues down to 0.1 mg kg-1 and below this level by multi-wavelength monitoring.

Determination of coumarin anticoagulant rodenticide residues in animal tissue by high-performance liquid chromatography. II. fluorescence detection using ion-pair chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of warfarin, coumatetralyl, bromadiolone, difenacoum and brodifacoum in animal tissues using fluorescence detection. Ion-pair chromatography, with the tetrabutylammmonium ion as counter-ion, was used to take full advantage of their native fluorescence. Detection limits in liver tissue after gel permeation clean-up were 0.002 mg kg-1 for coumatetralyl, difenacoum and bromdifacoum, 0.008 mg kg-1 for bromadiolone, and 0.01 mg kg-1 for warfarin.